Mechanical memory machine and apparatus



Dec. 8, 1964 s. D. LAPHAM 3,160,729

MECHANICAL MEMORY MACHINE AND APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L, 4 INVENTOR:

; .ira/var 0. ZAP/MM A BY Dec. 8, 1964 s. D. LAPHAM 3,160,729

MECHANICAL MEMORY MACHINE AND APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A rrazwsxs Dec. 8, 1964 S. D. LAPHAM MECHANICAL MEMORY MACHINE AND APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. SYDNEY 0. ZAP/MM LAPHAM Dec. 8, 1964 3,}60,729 PPA TUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IINVENTOR:

BY m M W ATTOE/Vl-KF United States Patent 3,169,729 MECHANICAL REMORY MACHENE AND APPARATUS Sidney D. Lapham, tte. 2, Box 319, Martinez, Calif. Filed Mar. 1, 1963, Ser. No. $2,823 Claims. (Qi. 299-453) This invention relates to switch operating mechanism and more particularly a mechanical message storing machine and related apparatus.

In brief, the invention herein described comprises a worm carrier and one or more ball-feed magazines cooperatively associated therewith. A plurality of switches are disposed in proximate relationship to the worm, and when a ball carried by the worm comes into engagement with the actuating member of the switch the switch is closed and a circuit is operated. The balls are triggered from the ball-feed carriages by manual operation of a key, but it is especially contemplated that the balls are to be fed into contact with the worm carrier independently of manual operation and in timed relation to rotation of the worm carrier.

One object of this invention is to provide a switch operating devices that will selectively operate one of a plurality of switches after a predetermined delay.

Another object is to provide a switch operating mechanism that functions after a predetermined delay and in response to manual controls.

Another object of the invention is to provide a delay operated switch mechanism having key controls.

Another object is to provide a switch operating mechanism comprising a worm carrier and a ball-feed magazine and including means for transferring a ball from the ball-feed magazine to the worm carrier in timed relationship to the worm carriers rotation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind described including a cam actuator rotatable with a worm carrier for moving a ball member out of a ball-feed magazine and into engagement with the worm carrier.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device of the kind described having plug and jack connections to enhance a unitary replacement of devices.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in view of the drawings and the following detail description.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system comprising apparatus including a device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a substantially longitudinal section of a'preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of the ball-feed magazine and ball release structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation of the ball-feed magazine as viewed on lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail and schematic view of a portion of the ball-feed magazine and a cam control member illustrating the positional relationship of the cam member and its roller follower immediately before a ball member is moved into engagement with the worm carrier;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail and schematic view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a state of operation immediately after a ball has been fed into engagement with the worm carrier;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 but showing conditions of binding which are avoided by using automatic ball-feed mechanism shown and described.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown one 3,1 60,7ZQ Patented Dec. 8, 1954 ice form of operating system which has been used in connection with the present invention. More particularly, a continuous conveyor belt 1 mounted on pulleys 2 and 3 and driven by a motor M is used for transporting packages to one or more routing lines. Packages or articles are delivered onto belt 1 by means of a chute B which is under the surveillance of an operator. The packages or articles are held near the end of chute B by a pivoted starting gate G; that is operated by a solenoid operated cylinder C and as the packages are placed upon belt 1 they are then carried to their respective routing points, such as one of a number of chutes B B and B it is contemplated that many additional distauce points or chutes would be utilized, and that the designation of three chutes only is made merely to illustrate the manner in which the system is intended to operate.

Pivoted gate members G G and G are associated with chutes B B and B respectively, each gate being operatedby electrically controlled solenoid operated cylinclers C C and C respectively.

Motor M, in addition to driving belt 1, operates blip switch 4 connected to an electrical supply. Motor M also operates one'or more switch actuating devices 10, more specifically described herein, and the construction of which involves an important part of this invention. Devices it are each driven off a gear drive 5 through separate overrunning clutch mechanisms 6.

Devices 10 are connected to blip switch 4 which feeds a pulsed signal to each device through a hot line L and a ground line L The pulsed signals are adapted to be conducted through switches arranged within device it) in a manner to be described, and upon operation of those switches an operating circuit is completed through ground line L and one of the conductor lines L L L L L L L Devices Ill are intended to be manually operated or conditioned as packages or products are to be placed onto conveyor belt 1. At that time, an operator will note the destination or chute into which the article is to be diverted, and-will condition one of the devices it) so that cylinder C operates gate G allowing the article to fall upon belt 1. Simultaneously, device 10 will be conditioned for operating one of the cylinders C C or C at the proper time in order to divert the article into the preselected chute.

Referring to FIG. 2 in particular, switch actuating devices 10 comprise a worm carrier 11 mounted on a vertical rotatable axis and operated by motor M through an overrunning clutch 6. A plurality of ball-feed magazines 112 containing ball follower members 13 are disposed circumferentially about worm carrier 11,, and each magazine has a groove surface 14- spaced from the surface of the worm carrier as to define a ball passageway.

A pair of switches 15 and 16 are supported from each magazine 12. Switches 15 are respectively associated with one of the control lines L L and switches 16 are each connected to the control line L In a manner to be described, a ball member from any magazine may be selectively fed into engagement with the worm C Ball members 13 are then returned to the end of a.

supply line within magazine 12.

In greater detail, worm carrier 11 is keyed to a shaft 2t) mounted between ball bearings 21 and 22. Shaft 20 is driven by a main drive rod 23 through the dog clutch 6 which comprises a driver 24 and a spring pressed driven member 25 slidably mounted and keyed to the lower end of shaft 20. Driven member 25 is urged into locking engagement with driver 24 by a coil spring 26 seated against a collar 27 removably attached near the end of shaft 20 as by means of a set screw.

Device is constructed in a manner allowing worm carrier 11, ball-feed magazines 12 and switches and 16 to be mounted upon a support plate 28 and removed therefrom as a complete unit. In this way, device 10 has great flexibility in substituting an alternate switching arrangement and control over the system in which it is utilized. Also, it allows devices 10 to be replaced by a device of like kind having the same arrangement of switches in the event of any malfunctioning.

Ball-feed magazines 12 are mounted between a pair of vertically spaced plates 29 and 30, and are secured thereto by means of cap screws 31 and 32, respectively. A support collar 33 is afiixed to the lower plate 29 by screws 34, said collar having a shoulder 33a. resting upon mounting plate 28. Roller bearing 22, which supports shaft and worm 11, rests upon a sleeve 35 threadedly connected to collar 30. Therefore, it will be seen that the entire worm carrier and magazine assembly rests upon mounting plate 28, which is adapted to be secured to a housing for the gear drive 5, not shown. Electrical banana plug connections, comprising receptacles 36 mounted to plate 28 and plugs 37 mounted to magazine support plate 29, form the only connecting means between plate 28 and the removable assembly. The electrical wiring connections between switches 15 and 16 and respective plugs 37 have not been shown, except by schematic illustration in FIG. 2.

Ball-feed magazines 12 comprise a rod member 40 having laterally milled slot 41, a longitudinally drilled ball .passage 42 and'transverse passageways 43, 44 and 45. Slot 41 is utilized for adjustably mounting a switch 15 vertically along rod 40 by means of a clamping set screw 46, which may be projected through slots 41 and threaded into the body of a switch. Ball passage 42 is adapted for receiving a number of ball members 13, and by gravity the balls are fed downwardly toward the transverse and interconnected passage 43. A lip 47 formed at the upper end of rod 40 serves to engage the balls at the end of their upward travel along worm 11 and push them laterally into the passage 42, and thus return them to the end of a ball supply.

Transverse passage 43 of rod 40 is provided with a ball-feed plunger 50 formed with a vertical slot 51 that receives a plunger control and actuating rod 52. Rod 52 carries a pin 53 which makes contact with the end of slot 51 for moving plunger 50 toward the right from its position, as shown in FIG. 2. Pin 53 also makes contact with the arm 16a of switch 16, except when plunger 50 is moved toward the right. Plunger 50 is urged toward the left by a spring 54 disposed in a drilled recess of the plunger and confined between the end of said recess and the rear surface of rod 52. Spring 54 is adapted for moving plunger 50 in the direction of worm 11 until either shoulder 50a of plunger 50 engages shoulder 43a of passage 43 or until the end of slot 51 engages pin-53. Thus, the plunger is arranged for limited reciprocal movement in the passage 43.

Rod 52 is vertically disposed in a longitudinal slot 55 formed in rod 40 and is pivotally mounted upon a pin 56. Actuating rod 52 is adapted to be moved against the bias of a spring 57 disposed in transverse passageway 44 by a cam operated plunger 58 having a roller follower 59. The roller follower of each ball-feed mech anism is held into engagement with one of a plurality of cam discs 60, eachcam disc being axially mounted and keyed upon shaft 20. A screw 61 is adjustably threaded into rod'52for making contact with plunger 58, and a stop screw 62 contacts the bottom surface of slot 55 to limit clockwise pivotal movement of the rod.

The operation and pivotal movement of each rod 52 is controlled by a control rod 65 having a finger key 18 secured to its'upper end. Rods 65 are resiliently sup ported from plate 30 by a sleeve 67, a ring plate 68 and a coiled spring 69; and each rod is confined in a slot 1 formed in plate 30 by a pair of semi-circular retainer rings 70, which are held in place by the inwardly turned edge 71a of a can body housing 71. Edge 17a rests upon a lip of plate 30 so as to support the can body housmg.

The lower end of each rod 65 supports a control latch 75 secured to the rod by rivets'76. Latch 75 is formed with a control slot 77 through which there projects a pin 78 mounted to rod 4! Slot 77 is defined in part by an'inclined surface 77a, the lower end of which terminates in a pin groove 77b. The upper end of surface 77a meets with a passage 77c. Latch 75 also is formed with a re-' cess 79 which receives the upper end of rod 52.

Upon normal downward movement against the bias of spring 69 of rod 65, surface 77a contacts pin 78, came ming latch 75 toward the left and pivoting rod 65 until pin 78 is horizontally aligned with passage 770. The weight of rod 65 and latch 75 will tend to pivot the rod back to a position placing pin 78 within passage 77c. Rod 65 will then be unable to move vertically upward until such time that the rod is pivoted into position moving passage 770 out of engagement with pin 78. Spring 69 will then return rod 65 to the position shown'in FIGS; 2 and 3. v

It will be apparent that a downward movement of rod 65, as above described, places latch'75 in a position where it can be pivoted toward the right by the rod 52.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, each cam 60 is formed with a substantially circular peripheral surface 60a, adepressed circular surface area 6012 and a raised surface 60c. Each of these surface areas is utilized inpivotally moving rod 52 against the spring bias 57. Surface 60a is the area engaged by the associated roller follower 58, as shown in FIG. 2. However, when cam surface 605 is positioned opposite to roller 59 spring 57 may then pivot rod 52 clockwise relative to the position shown, provided l atch'control 75 is also free to move toward the right. If rod 65 is in its normal spring-raised po sition, then latch 75 is restrained by an engagement between pin 78 and groove 77b. But if rod 65 has been depressed, as by finger operation of key 18, then both rod 65 and plunger actuating rod 52 will be moved towardthe right by spring 57. Such a movement would effect a retraction of plunger 50, allowing a'ball member 13 to drop into passageway 43.

As cam 60 is further rotated surface 60c engages roller 59, thereby pivoting rod '52 (and rod 65) in opposition to the bias of spring 57. Furthermore, rods 52 and 65 are pivoted beyond the positions shown in' FIG. 2, such as to move pin 78' out of the passage 77c. Plunger 50 is, of course, allowed to move under the resilient pres-' sure of spring 54 until it shoulders in the passageway 43;

and during its movement, plunger 50 forces a ball member' into engagement with the surface of worm 11.

As pin 78 moves out of passage 77c rod 65 returns to its home position under the biasing force of spring 69. Since pin 78 is once again disposed within the confines of control slot 77, further pivotal actuation of rod 52 is inhibited.

It will be evident that each rotation of cam 60 permits its associated spring 57 to move rods 52 and 65, at least 'to the extent that pin 78 engages groove 77b. While pin 78 is lodged in this groove, it becomes impossible to depress rod 65, by reason of the undercut nature of the groove. This serves the purpose of inhibiting or preventing rod actuation at a time when the loading of a ball in passageway 43 might cause a binding engagement, trapping a ball member between the edges of passageway 43 and worm 11 and the surface of plunger 50. Conditions of ball entrapment, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, might occur unless care is taken to time the advancement of a ball member with movement of the worm.

FIG. 7 illustrates a condition where a ball member has been moved against the surface of worm 11 by the early retraction of plunger 50, the Weight of ball members in passage 42 causing the ball within passage 43 to be advanced before the preceding ball member has been sufliciently moved along the worm. This condition might result if ball members were introduced manually rather than by the automatic injection control described. Moreover, since it is possible that red 65 might be depressed almost simultaneously with the time a ball is being advanced toward worm 11, a binding contact might be formed with the mechanism shown if it were not for the lock-out function of pin 78 being received in groove 77b.

FIG. 8 illustrates another type of binding engagement which is possible, unless care is observed in timing the advancement of plunger 50 to the movement of worm 11. With the device shown and described, this condition does not occur since the movement of plungers 50 are strictly governed by the rotation of cam 60, and since only one ball member can be advanced for each revolution of the worm.

In operation, devices 10 are located at or near the point where packages are to be placed upon conveyor belt 1. An operator will observe the packages as they are moved against gate G and determine at'what destination point they should be removed from the belt. The operator will then actuate the appropriate key 18 of device 10 which will initiate the advancement of a ball member 13 through the ball-feed magazine 12 associated with that key. As plunger 50 is retracted, allowing a ball member to gravitate into passage 43, pin 53 actuates switch 16, closing a circuit which operates solenoid controlled cylinder C This opens gate G allowing the package to be placed onto belt 1.

Once the ball member 13 contacts worm 11 it will be moved upwardly until it comes into engagement with arm 15a of switch 15, causing said switch to close a circuit for operating the appropriate solenoid controlled cylinder C C or C moving its respective gate so as to divert the package into the proper chute. As the ball member 13 reaches the upper end of surface 14 it contacts lip 47 and is returned to the end of a ball supply line in magazine passageway 42.

It will be noted that devices 10 are designed for troublefree operation, but in the event of ball jamming (as might occur after parts have become worn), drive shaft 23 may be rotated although shaft 29 of device 10 is frozen by the jam. At such a time the driven clutch member 25 will move against spring 26 disengaging the drive connection through overrunning clutch 6.

A worn or defective switching device It) may be easily replaced by merely vertically lifting the device free of its support plate 28, thereby effecting a complete disconnection of each banana plug connector. A new device, having an identical switching arrangement, may then be substituted in a manner of afew seconds. Thus, there will be very little lost time in making equipment repairs.

Although one preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, various changes may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the attached claims, and each of such changes is contemplated.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus of the kind described, comprising: means including a worm defining a plurality of retaining passageways for worm followers, each passageway extending axially of said worm and being defined by the surface of said worm and a concave surface; worm followers; means for selectively feeding a worm follower into one end of any passageway; means including a plu- 6 rality of cams rotatable with said worm for actuating said feeding means, one cam being associated with one passageway for feeding a follower member into the one end of said passageway; a lock-out device for each passageway to prevent the feeding of a worm follower into its one end; manually operated means including a key release for each lock-out device to permit cam actuation of said feeding means; and a plurality of switches, each switch having an actuating member disposed along one of said passageways.

2. Apparatus of the kind described, comprising: means defining a worm surface; means for selectively feeding a ball into engagement with said worm surface including a ball feed magazine having a ball supply passageway connecting with a transverse worm feed passage, a plurality of balls in said ball supply passageway, a plunger reciprocally disposed in said worm feed passage, and means for operating said plunger; means for holding a ball against said Worm surface and restricting its movement to a path extended axially of said worm surface; switch means having an, actuating member disposed along said path; a spring biased operating rod having a latch control member, said latch control member being formed with a control slot defined by a camming surface, a pin passage and a pin groove; a pin member disposed within said control slot and engageable with said camrning surface, said pin passage and said pin groove to, respectively, place the latch control member in a position permitting retraction of the plunger, hold the latch member in such a position while a ball member is being fed into the worm feed passage, and inhibit operation-of the spring biased operating rod during a portion of worm surface advancement.

3. Apparatus of the kind described, comprising: means defining a worm surface; means for selectively feeding a ball into engagement with said worm surface including a ball feed magazine having a ball supply passageway connecting with a transverse worm feed passage, a plurality of balls in said ball supply passageway, a plunger reciprocally disposed in said worm feed passage; means for holding a ball against said worm surface and restricting its movement to a patch extending'axially of said worm surface; switch means having an actuating member disposed along said path; means for operating said. plunger including a pivoted actuating rod, means resiliently holding said plunger away from said actuating rod, and means resiliently biasing said rod in a direction to move said plunger away from the worm surface; a control cam mounted for rotation with the worm surface means; means operated by said control cam for moving said actuating rod in opposition to said resilient biasing means; said cam being formed with low, high, and intermediate surfaces to move said actuating rod and plunger between positions allowing a ball member to be fed into the worm feed passage and advanced into engagement with the worm surface means; latch control means engaged with said plunger operating means including a spring biased operating rod having a latch control memher, said latch control member being formed with a control slot defined by a camming surface, a pin passage and a pin groove; and a pin member disposed within said control slot and engageable with camming surface, said pin passage and said pin groove to, respectively, place the latch control member in a position permitting retraction of the plunger, hold the latch member in such a position while a ball member is being fed into the worm feed passage, and inhibit operation of the spring biased operating rod during a portion of worm surface advancement.

4. Apparatus of the kind described, comprising: means defining a worm surface; means for selectively feeding a ball into engagement with said worm surface including a ball feed magazine having a ball supply passageway connecting with a transverse worm feed passage, a plurality of balls in said ball supply passageway, a plunger '7 reciprocally disposed in said worm feed passage; means for holding a ball against said worm surface and restricting its movement to a patch extending axially of said worm surface; switch means having an actuating member disposed along said path; plunger operating means operable in response to rotation of said worm surface means for reciprocating said plunger; latch means movable between first and second positions and engaged with said plunger operating means for inhibiting reciprocation of said plunger to prevent movement ofa ball from said ball supply passageway to said worm feed passage when said latch means is in said first position and for allowing said plunger to reciprocate to allow a ball to pass from said ball supply passageway to said worm feed passage when said latch means is'in said second position; means to hold said latch means in' its second position when moved thereto; and means for moving said latch 8 means from its second to its first position in response to reciprocation of said plunger. I I 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and further including means for preventing movement of said latch means from its first to its second position during a portion of worm surface means rotation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,666,535 1/54 Dooley 21411 7 2,922,141 1/60 Simmerman et al. 1'7817.5 X 2,936,031 5/60 Peras 214 l1 2,965,738 12/60 Naxon ZOO-J58 2,977,003 3/61 Muller 214 HUGO O. SCI -IULZ, Primary Examiner. MORRIS TEMIN, Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS OF THE KIND DESCRIBED, COMPRISING: MEANS INCLUDING A WORM DEFINING A PLURALITY OF RETAINING PASSAGEWAYS FOR WORM FOLLOWERS, EACH PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING AXIALLY OF SAID WORM AND BEING DEFINED BY THE SURFACE OF SAID WORM AND A CONCAVE SURFACE; WORM FOLLOWERS; MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY FEEDING A WORM FOLLOWER INTO ONE END OF ANY PASSAGEWAY; MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CAMS ROTATABLE WITH SAID WORM FOR ACTUATING SAID FEEDING MEANS, ONE CAM BEING ASSOCIATED WITH ONE PASSAGEWAY FOR FEEDING A FOLLOWER MEMBER INTO THE ONE END OF SAID PASSAGEWAY; A LOCK-OUT DEVICE FOR EACH PASSAGEWAY TO PREVENT THE FEEDING OF A WORM FOLLOWER INTO ITS ONE END; MANUALLY OPERATED MEANS INCLUDING A KEY RELEASE FOR EACH LOCK-OUT DEVICE TO PERMIT CAM ACTUATION OF SAID FEEDING MEANS; AND A PLURALITY OF SWITCHES, EACH SWITCH HAVING AN ACTUATING MEMBER DISPOSED ALONG ONE OF SAID PASSAGEWAYS. 